The Good

* Superbly embodies the spirit of the original trilogy
* Features some of the strongest performances ever seen in a Star Wars film
* Movie-goers longing for a strong female character need look no further
* No Jar Jar

The Bad

* Sometimes retreads familiar ground a little too closely
* Fans may feel some of their favorite characters are underused
* Some original characters have aged better than others

This Star Wars: The Force Awakens review is spoiler-free.

The Burning Question

Let’s be honest; if you’re reading this, you’ve probably already decided to go see Star Wars: The Force Awakens. But, if you’re like most Star Wars fans, the question gnawing at the back of your mind is this: does The Force Awakens live up to the hype, or are you setting yourself up for another prequel-level disappointment?

I am thrilled to report that Star Wars: The Force Awakens is the return to a galaxy far, far away that fans have been waiting thirty years for.

Now, full disclosure, I’m a huge Star Wars fan. So, in an attempt to inject some objectivity into my post-screening euphoria, I asked Dawn, who rarely finds any movie worth the effort of going to the theater for, one simple question: “Was it worth the 200 mile round-trip drive?” Without even a hint of hesitation, she responded with a resounding, “Yes.”

Newcomers Daisy Ridley and John Boyega are excellent as Rey and Finn.

A Return to Greatness

Fans worried that The Force Awakens might carry on the prequel curse can rest easy. There are no trade negotiations, Galactic Senate sessions, or midi-chlorian monologues to be found here. The Force Awakens is straight-up Star Wars, the way it should be: pulse-pounding action, heart-wrenching emotion, and humor-infused drama. The film will grab hold of you from the opening scene, and never let go. For two hours and fifteen minutes, I found myself alternating between clutching the edge of my seat and grinning like an idiot.

Triumphant Newcomers

It would be easy to gush about the return of fan favorite characters, like Han Solo and Chewbacca, but what really blew me away was the strength of the film’s roster of new characters. Rey, Finn, Poe Dameron, Kylo Ren, and BB-8 are the real deal; not only are the characters immediately interesting, the performances delivered by Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, and Adam Driver are some of the best in any Star Wars movie to date. There are no weak links to be found in this incredible ensemble.

Kylo Ren promises to be every bit as menacing as the original trilogy’s Darth Vader.

Criticisms

Of course, no movie is perfect. However, pretty much every criticism I have of Star Wars: The Force Awakens is minor, and comes with a silver lining. Rather than looking at them as detractions, think of them as things to keep in mind, in order to fully maximize your enjoyment of the film:

The Force Awakens does retread some familiar ground, but the scenes are done so well, they can easily be considered improvements upon the source material.

Some of the returning characters felt a little underused, but I was so invested in the new characters and their stories, I probably would have been more upset if their screen time had been lessened for the sake of nostalgia.

Not every returning character has aged well, and although their appearances can be a bit jarring, each adds something beneficial to the narrative.

Fans expecting answers to all their questions, should be prepared for disappointment. They should also know better than to expect that in the first place. The Force Awakens is the first in a trilogy of movies. Obviously, it will take some time to unravel the galaxy’s newest mysteries.

The Best Star Wars So Far?

So, how does The Force Awakens rate compared to previous Star Wars movies? Well, I can tell you this much: the combination of amazing computer animation and practical effects makes The Force Awakens easily the most visually stunning of any Star Wars film. The story is compelling, the character development is superb, and the individual performances rival anything we’ve seen from previous casts. The focus on Rey, one of the strongest female characters to grace science fiction since The Matrix’s Trinity, adds a freshness to the franchise that could have come off feeling forced (no pun intended). Instead, we are introduced to a deep and relatable character who is destined to become an instant fan favorite.

The Force Awakens boasts the most jaw-dropping visual effects of any Star Wars movie.

The force is definitely strong with the latest Star Wars film. The only question left in my mind is, how will The Force Awakens stand up to repeated viewings? And it is a question I am extremely eager to find out the answer to. Five out of five stars.

Have you seen the movie? Leave your own Star Wars: The Force Awakens review!

Leave your own rating by clicking the USER RATING stars at the top of this review, and let me know what you thought of the movie (no spoilers, please), in the comments below!